Desk top picture frame storage box

ABSTRACT

A taper-shaped keepsakes storage box having an integrated picture frame cover therein a picture can be inserted and presented at a slightly inclined viewing angle. According to a first embodiment, the picture frame cover peripheral edge interfit over a flanged peripheral edge at the access opening of the storage compartment and the two edges are held together with sets of corresponding magnets embedded in these edges. In other embodiments, seams can be eliminated from the side walls of the picture frame storage box assembly by insetting the picture frame in the front surface of the case body or by giving the picture frame peripheral side edge an acute angle allowing it to mate with the correspondingly angled interior side peripheral edge of the storage compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/725,019, filed 2006 Oct. 7 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to storage container that includes a picture frame cover. More specifically, this invention relates to a taper-shaped storage container with a picture frame display assembly cover allowing the display of a picture. Simultaneously small objects such as letters, photographs and other keepsakes can be stowed in the container. The entire picture frame, storage container assembly can be displayed like a conventional desk top picture frame with the picture at an inclined position for a proper viewing.

2. Prior Art

Since the invention of photography, consumers have been accumulating snapshots and photos of their love ones and life's many celebrations and experiences. Many have created photo albums to hold these images. Many more have stored them in shoe or cigar containers along with other keepsakes such as a corsage, a serviceman's medal or a baby's shoe. Once put away, it is inconvenient to view any of the images without dragging out the entire collection. Putting an individual image in a picture frame necessitates separating the single image from other images and keepsakes in the album or container. Just displaying a page from an album or from an opened container is a rather unattractive option as it can cause the soiling of the image from the exposure.

Therefore, many inventors have tried to combine a storage container and a picture frame to address this need. U.S. Pat. No. 1,225,195 to Wanda (1917) discloses a rather simple frame with a chamber attached to the back of the frame to provide storage for jewelry, letters and the like. To provide a proper inclined angle to display the picture on a flat horizontal surface, a hinged easel support is attached to the back. And to ensure that the chamber in the back is not ordinarily noticed, the chamber's thickness would have to be restricted, thus limiting the usefulness of the container.

A similar invention, U.S. Pat. No. 1,882,157 to Minton (1932) shows a hinged cover in the shape of the inner frame member attached to an outer frame which is then rigidly secured to a box container in the back. Again, an easel support is attached to the back to enable the proper display of picture in the frame. This structure has the same problem as the Wanda picture frame in that the back container thickness would have to be restricted in order not to appear awkward. In addition, increasing the thickness of the container will necessitate the increase of the outer frame in order for the easel to function properly.

Many of the prior art also seek to combine an album or album-like feature with a photo frame. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,649,799 issued to Spertus (1953), U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,382 issued to Newman (1966), U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,049 issued to Cornelius (1971) and U.S. published application 2004/0134111 A1 from Berg (2004) all attempt to create a picture frame with an album or album-like storage in the back. Due to the limitation to the depth of the storage area, these approaches are very restrictive in what type of material can be stored in the back of the frame. Many also require a back easel for use on desk top.

Other prior art that emphasizes the storage function along with the display of a picture such as U.S. design patent D266,526 issued to Raine (1982), U.S. design patent D283,087 issued to Lutz (1986) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,252 issued to Koch (1997). These inventions emphasize storage and display of a stack of similarly sized photos, therefore, are unable to accommodate a variety of objects or keepsakes. They are also generally more functional than attractive for use as a method of displaying pictures.

Some prior art such as the Havana photo boxes produced by Kolo.com, URL: http://kolo.com/shop/albums/default.asp?cat=albu&grp=clot&item=hava (2006), placed great emphasis on the storage function, while relegating the display of photos to a secondary label-like role. They are also not suitable if used as picture frames for they are boxy and awkward in appearance and offer little protection to the picture displayed.

Other prior art as illustrated by the “Oak Pet Urns with Picture Frames” sold by ashestoashes.com, URL: http://www.ashestoashes.com/cremation_box.htm (2006), can only present the picture perpendicular to the horizontal surface where it is placed, therefore not showing the picture at an optimal viewing angle.

The drawbacks of these prior art create a need for an aesthetically pleasing picture frame storage device that can accommodate a variety of small objects such as photographs, letters, a baby's shoe and other small keepsakes while providing an attractive and aesthetic appearance for the display of a picture.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   (a) to provide a generous sized storage container for small         objects, such as letters, snapshots, dried corsage and other         keepsakes;     -   (b) to provide a easily opened container where small objects and         keepsakes can be stored and accessed without disturbing the         picture in the picture frame;     -   (c) to provide an integrated picture frame in which a chosen         picture can be displayed either in a portrait or a landscape         format;     -   (d) to permit easy change of picture in the picture frame;     -   (e) to allow said invention to be manufactured in different         material including wood, plastic, metal, leather, imitation         leather, stone and man-made stone;     -   (f) to present the picture frame storage box as a single         integrated aesthetically pleasing unit without an unsightly and         awkward easel back; and     -   (g) to provide a means by which the surface of the picture frame         is in a slightly inclined angle, without the use of an easel         back, for easy viewing;

Further objects and advantages are to provide an all-purpose, convenient, package for storing keepsakes and displaying a picture of one's choosing. The general purpose nature of the storage compartment lends itself to be used in an infinite variety of ways, such as the keeping of a collection of favorite old marbles, small mementos of one's grandchild or the ashes of a beloved pet while simultaneously showing a picture of the related subject. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY

In this regard, the present invention provides a slightly taper-shaped side wall box consisting of two parts, a picture frame cover and a storage compartment. The slightly inclined side wall allows the desk top picture frame storage box to display a picture in a similar angle as a conventional desk top picture frame.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

In the drawings, each additional embodiment has the same alphabetic suffix.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the of the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view from the front side of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment from the front side of the present invention;

FIG. 2C shows an exploded perspective view of a second alternative embodiment from the front side of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing an alternative way of constructing the picture frame;

FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3C shows a cross sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of the said invention depicting the inclined angle of the present nvention;

FIG. 5 shows a cutaway view depicting the structure of the picture frame from the back. DRAWINGS - Reference Numerals 110 picture frame cover 112 inclined exterior side wall 114 rigid transparent sheet 116 picture 118 picture frame display area 120 storage compartment 234 storage compartment interior cavity 236 backing board 238 spring clip 240 magnet 242 storage compartment peripheral edge 244 picture frame back peripheral edge 246 picture frame side peripheral edge 248 storage compartment interior side peripheral edge 346 groove 350 storage compartment rear wall

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1, 2, 3 AND 3A—FIRST EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment of the picture frame storage box of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (perspective view), FIG. 3 and 3A (cross section and alternative embodiment cross section). Made of wood or other suitable material, the picture frame cover 110 has an opening in the front 118 where the picture 116 is presented under a rigid transparent sheet of either glass or acrylic 114. From the back, a picture 116 and, if necessary a matte, can be positioned against the transparent sheet 114 and held in place by using a rigid back board 236 made from medium density fiberboard (MDF) or other equivalent rigid material. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a set of spring clips 238 inserted in a groove 346 in the interior side walls of the frame hold the back board, the picture and the transparent sheet in place.

Along with a recess in the back of the picture frame, a back peripheral edge 244 with embedded magnets 240 in the center of the sides forms the picture frame cover 110 which can be mated with a flanged storage compartment peripheral edge 242. A set of correspondent adjacent magnets 240 embedded on the storage compartment peripheral edge 242 ensure the picture frame cover 110 and the storage compartment 120 stay together to form a single case body.

Four side walls and a rear wall 350 form the interior cavity 234 of the storage compartment where small items can be stored. The four inclined exterior side walls 112 of the case body have a tapering profile of seventeen degrees from the vertical. As shown in FIG. 4, this allows the closed case body to have a slight inclination when placed on any of its side walls 112 thereby allowing proper viewing like a conventional desk top picture frame.

The overall outside dimensions of the closed case body are 7.625 by 9.625 inches on the front of the picture frame cover and 3.75 inches on the side. These dimensions allow the display of standard 4 by 6 and 5 by 7 inches photographs while providing a generous 5.25 by 7.25 by 3 inches interior cavity 234 for the storing of keepsakes.

Operations—FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5

The way to use the desk top picture frame storage box is to first lay the box down on the rear wall of the storage compartment 350 on a horizontal surface with the picture frame cover facing up. Gently lift the picture frame cover 110 which is held in place by magnets 240 from the storage compartment thereby exposing the interior cavity. Objects can then be placed in the space and the picture frame cover 110 can then be put back on again.

To change or install a picture into the picture frame cover 110, first detach the picture frame cover from the storage compartment 120, then place the picture frame cover face down, exposing the back of the frame. Remove the spring clips 238 and the backing board 236. Insert the picture 116 face down and a matte, if needed, reinsert the backing board 236 and the spring clips 238. The tension of the spring clips will hold both the picture and the backing board in place. Finally turn the picture frame cover 110 over with the picture facing up and gently put the cover over the opened storage compartment 120, interfitting the picture frame cover peripheral edge with the flanged storage compartment peripheral edge 242 making sure the two units attached and fitted snugly together.

Place the closed case body on one of the sides on a horizontal surface. The desk top picture frame storage box will now store your keepsakes and display the picture of your choice in a slightly inclined angle (FIG. 4), similar to a conventional desk top picture frame without the need of an awkward back easel.

FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, 1C, 2C, 3C—Additional Embodiments

There are other embodiments which eliminate the need for a seam in the exterior side walls of the case body. FIGS. 1B, 2B and 3B show how the picture frame cover 110 can be insetted into the front of the case body with the exterior side walls of the storage compartment extending from the rear wall 350 of the storage compartment to the front of the picture frame without showing a seam separating the picture frame cover 110 and the storage compartment 120. The seam separating the picture frame from the storage compartment is on the front of the case body instead.

Another embodiment of the desk top picture frame storage box is illustrated in FIGS. 1C, 2C and 3C. In this case, the picture frame cover has a 45 degrees angled picture frame side peripheral edge 246. It is then mated with similarly angled storage compartment interior side peripheral edge 248. The two parts are then held together by sets of magnets 240 imbedded at the same corresponding adjacent positions in both of these edges. The seam separating the two parts is therefore less noticeable and hidden at the corner where the two peripheral edges meet. This embodiment also yields a seam-free side wall case body.

In both of these embodiments, the manner by which the picture is held in the picture frame cover is identical to the first embodiment. They also provide the same volume of interior cavity for storing small objects as the first embodiment. In addition, the exterior side walls of the body case are also tapered with an angle of 17 degrees 112, thereby allowing the inclined presentation of the picture identical to the first embodiment.

Conclusion, Ramification and Scope

Accordingly, the reader can see that this invention can function both as a practical storage box and an aesthetically pleasing desktop picture frame allowing easy changing of the picture on display. Further advantages are:

-   -   the invention can be fabricated in a great variety of colors and         materials such as wood, stone, metal, leather, plastics or a         combination thereof, allowing its use in many different interior         environments;     -   it not only provides a convenient place to stow one's keepsakes,         it also allows one to relate the keepsakes to the picture         displayed;     -   its all purpose storage compartment is extremely practical and         functional allowing its use for storing a wide variety of         objects—from a small urn of cremains to a treasure trove of old         letters, postcards and snapshots;     -   the objects stored in the storage compartment can be accessed         easily without disturbing the picture that is mounted in the         display area of the picture frame; and     -   the storage function and the picture display function of this         invention are tightly integrated, giving us a smart and         aesthetically pleasing complete package.

Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the present embodiments of this invention. For example, the picture frame storage box can have other shapes, such as octagon or hexagon, etc.; the means of holding the picture frame and the storage compartment can be friction, tension ball catch or even some hinges or hinges in combination of a catch, etc.;

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. A picture frame assembly with a storage compartment comprising: (a) a picture frame, said picture frame includes a front surface, a rear peripheral frame with surface and an opening in said front surface defining a display area, said display area configured to receive and retain a picture therein; (b) a storage compartment having a rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from said rear wall, said rear wall and said side walls cooperating to define an interior cavity; (c) means for securing said rear peripheral frame surface of said picture frame to said storage compartment such that the peripheral edges of said picture frame and the peripheral edges of said opening of said storage compartment are aligned when said case body is in a closed position forming a case body; and (d) means to provide a predetermined inclined angle to the front of said picture frame by changes of the dimensions of the of the exterior side walls, making the side walls wider at the picture frame end and narrower at the rear wall of the storage compartment, whereby said picture frame storage box can store keepsakes and display a picture at a proper viewing angle when placed on said side wall on a horizontal surface.
 2. The picture frame assembly of claim 1, said storage compartment further comprising: (a) a storage compartment having a rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from said rear wall, said rear wall and said side walls cooperating to define an interior cavity; (b) an opening formed by said side walls and opposite to said rear wall of the storage compartment allowing access to said interior cavity to permit a user to place objects therein; and (c) a rigid transparent sheet in the opening of said front surface of said picture frame assembly defining the display area, whereby offering protection to said picture; (d) a closure means, selected from a group consisting of magnet, magnetic catch, tension ball catch, friction, friction catch and hinge, to securely mate the rear peripheral picture frame surface with the peripheral edge of the opening of said storage compartment forming a case body; and (e) means to provide a predetermined inclined angle to the front of said picture frame by changes of the dimensions of the of the exterior side walls, making the side walls wider at the picture frame end and narrower at the rear wall of the storage compartment, whereby said picture frame storage box can store keepsakes and display picture at a proper viewing angle when placed on said side wall on a horizontal surface.
 3. The picture frame assembly of claim 2, wherein said picture frame assembly is insetted into an opening with an interior peripheral ledge in the front of said case body; therein allowing each of the exterior side walls of said storage compartment extending in one continuous surface from the storage compartment rear wall to the front surface of the case body.
 4. The picture frame assembly of claim 2, wherein said picture frame cover assembly with an acute angled side peripheral edge is nestled into the opening of the storage compartment allowing both the outer edge corners of the picture frame side peripheral edge and the storage compartment interior side peripheral edge to meet; therein allowing each of the exterior side walls of said storage compartment extending in one continuous surface from the storage compartment rear wall to the front surface of the case body.
 5. A storage box picture frame assembly comprising: (a) a picture frame, said picture frame include a front surface, a rear peripheral frame surface and an opening in said front surface that defines a display area, said display area configured to receive and retain a picture therein; (b) a storage compartment having an interior cavity defined by a rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from said rear wall ending in an opening to allow access to said interior cavity; (c) means for securing said rear peripheral frame surface of said picture frame to said storage compartment such that the peripheral edges of said picture frame and the peripheral edges of said opening of said storage compartment are aligned when said case body is in a closed position, forming a case body; and (d) means to provide a predetermined inclined angle to the front of said picture frame by changes of the dimensions of the of the exterior side walls, making the side walls wider at the picture frame end and narrower at the rear wall of the storage compartment, whereby said picture frame storage box can store keepsakes and display a picture at a proper viewing angle when placed on said side wall on a horizontal surface.
 6. The storage box picture frame assembly of claim 5, said storage box further comprising: (a) a storage compartment having a rear wall and side walls extending upwardly from said rear wall, said rear wall and said side walls cooperating to define an interior cavity; (b) an opening formed by said side walls and opposite to said rear wall of the storage compartment allowing access to said interior cavity to permit a user to place objects therein; (c) a rigid transparent sheet in the opening of said front surface of said picture frame assembly defining the display area, whereby offering protection to said picture; (d) a closure means, selected from a group consisting of magnet, magnetic catch, tension ball catch, friction, friction catch and hinge, to securely mate the rear peripheral picture frame surface with the peripheral edge of the opening of said storage compartment forming a case body; and (e) means to provide a predetermined inclined angle to the front of said picture frame by changes of the dimensions of the of the exterior side walls, making the side walls wider at the picture frame end and narrower at the rear wall of the storage compartment, whereby said storage box picture frame can store keepsakes and display a picture at a proper viewing angle when placed on said side wall on a horizontal surface.
 7. The picture frame assembly of claim 6, wherein said picture frame assembly is insetted into an opening with an interior peripheral ledge in the front of said case body; therein allowing each of the exterior side walls of said storage compartment extending in one continuous surface from the storage compartment rear wall to the front surface of the case body.
 8. The storage box picture frame assembly of claim 6, wherein said picture frame cover assembly with an acute angled side peripheral edge is nestled into the opening of the storage compartment allowing both the outer edge corners of the picture frame side peripheral edge and the storage compartment interior side peripheral edge to meet; therein allowing each of the exterior side walls of said storage compartment extending in one continuous surface from the storage compartment rear wall to the front surface of the case body.
 9. A method to store keepsakes and display a picture at a proper viewing angle, comprising: (a) providing a taper-sided storage box with a picture frame cover; with the taper sides wider at the front of the picture frame and narrower towards the rear wall of the storage compartment; (b) a picture is placed through the back of said picture frame cover and held in place by use of a backing board and means of applying continuous pressure to said backing board and picture; (c) small keepsakes are put into said taper-sided storage box; the picture frame cover is then gently placed over the opening of the storage box, securing the picture frame cover and the storage box by a closure means, selected from a group consisting of magnet, magnetic catch, tension ball catch, friction, friction catch and hinge, whereby sealing said storage box and forming a case body; (d) said case body is placed on a horizontal surface resting on one its inclined exterior side walls, thereby tilting the picture to a predetermined angle for proper viewing.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said picture frame cover is insetted into an opening with an interior peripheral ledge of the front of said storage box.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said picture frame cover with an acute angled peripheral edge is nestled into the an acute angled side walls of the opening of said storage box, enabling the corner of the picture frame side peripheral edge and the corner of the storage compartment interior side peripheral edge to meet, forming a combined corner at the front periphery of said storage box 